Loofah sponge

ABSTRACT

A loofah sponge includes a first cover layer, a second cover layer secured to the first cover layer by peripheral stitching, and an inner layer loose inside an interior space formed by the first cover layer and the second cover layer. The configuration of the loofah sponge, particularly loose inner layer, provides enhanced durability and ergonomics.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a loofah sponge, and more particularly, to a multi-layered, ergonomically shaped loofah sponge.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Loofah is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines in the cucumber family. In common usage, loofah refers to the fruits of the species Luffa aegyptiaca and Luffa acutangula. The fully developed fruit may be processed into a loofah sponge.

The texture of loofah sponges is particularly well suited for scrubbing or exfoliation. However, many conventional loofah sponges are only a single layer. With prolonged use, the conventional single layer loofah sponge will deteriorate. Also, because it is flat and thin, it has poor ergonomics and can be difficult to use.

Some conventional loofah sponges have multiple layers all sewn together. While a two layer sponge may have improved durability compared to a conventional single layer loofah sponge, the conventional double-layer loofah sponges do not hold their shape when wet. Furthermore, while the conventional three or more layer loofah sponge is thicker than the conventional single or double layer loofah sponge, it is uniformly thick as the layers are stacked one on top of another. Therefore, the conventional multi-layer loofah sponges still have generally poor ergonomics because, like the conventional single layer loofah sponge, they are flat, and too malleable when wet. Additionally, multi-layer conventional loofah sponges that are sewn with all layers on top of one another, can put added stress on the stitches, which can cause them to break more easily over time which leads the sponge to deteriorate more quickly.

The present invention addresses these problems, and is directed to a loofah sponge having a floating layer inside of two cover layers. The loofah sponge, according to the present invention, provides superior durability by only sewing two layers together, and excellent ergonomics in its superior sponginess/elasticity when wet.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a multi-layer loofah sponge for personal care or household cleaning.

A loofah sponge is provided. The loofah sponge includes a first cover layer, a second cover layer secured to the first cover layer by peripheral stitching, and an inner layer loose inside an interior space formed by the first cover layer and the second cover layer.

According to one or more embodiments, the loofah sponge has the characteristic that the first cover layer and the second cover layer bulge outwards due to the presence of the inner layer. The peripheral stitching may include stitching around a common periphery of the first cover layer and the second cover layer, and the stitching may be indented from an edge formed by the first cover layer and the second cover layer. A loop may be secured in between the first cover layer and the second cover layer by the peripheral stitching. A tag may be secured in between the first cover layer and the second cover layer by the peripheral stitching. The first cover layer and the second cover layer may each be leaf-shaped. The inner layer may oval-shaped. Alternatively, the first cover layer, the second cover layer, and the inner layer may be rectangular.

A method of manufacturing a loofah sponge is also provided. The method includes providing a first cover layer, placing an inner layer on top of the first cover layer, placing a second cover layer on top of the inner layer, and securing the second cover layer to the first cover layer by peripheral stitching. The inner layer is loose inside an interior space formed by the first cover layer and the second cover layer.

According to one or more embodiments, the loofah sponge manufactured according to this method has the characteristic that the first cover layer and the second cover layer bulge outwards due to the presence of the inner layer. The peripheral stitching may include stitching around a common periphery of the first cover layer and the second cover layer, and the stitching may be indented from an edge formed by the first cover layer and the second cover layer. A loop may be secured in between the first cover layer and the second cover layer by the peripheral stitching. A tag may be secured in between the first cover layer and the second cover layer by the peripheral stitching. The first cover layer and the second cover layer may each be leaf-shaped. The inner layer may be oval-shaped. Alternatively, the first cover layer, the second cover layer, and the inner layer may be rectangular.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the leaf-shaped loofah sponge.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the leaf-shaped loofah sponge.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the leaf-shaped loofah sponge.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the leaf-shaped loofah sponge.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the leaf-shaped loofah sponge.

FIG. 6 is another cross-sectional view of the leaf-shaped loofah sponge.

FIG. 7 is yet another cross-sectional view of the leaf-shaped loofah sponge.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the leaf-shaped loofah sponge.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the rectangular loofah sponge.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the rectangular loofah sponge.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the rectangular loofah sponge.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the rectangular loofah sponge.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the rectangular loofah sponge.

FIG. 14 is another cross-sectional view of the rectangular loofah sponge.

FIG. 15 is yet another cross-sectional view of the rectangular loofah sponge.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the rectangular loofah sponge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a loofah sponge 10 is provided. The loofah sponge 10 includes cover layers 12, 14, which are made from natural loofah fibers. The cover layers 12, 14 are joined together by stitching 18 around their common perimeter. Preferably, when assembled, the cover layers 12, 14 are mirror images of each other. As shown in the figures, each of the layers 12, 14 may be leaf-shaped. However, this shape is not intended to be limiting. The cover layers 12, 14 may be of any suitable shape; they may be square, rectangle, circular, oval-shaped, polygonal, or amorphous.

In some embodiments, a loop 20 may be included. The loop 20 enables a user to easily hang the loofah sponge 10 on a hook, finger, or other object. The loop 20 may be made of string. The loop 20 may be disposed between terminal ends of the cover layers 12, 14, and may be fixed there at each terminal end by the stitching 18. However, it is contemplated that the loop 20 may be positioned at any point along the perimeter formed by the cover layers 12, 14. In addition, in other embodiments, multiple loops 20 may be used. The loop 20 may be formed by stitching the ends at substantially the same point or at different points along the stitching 18.

In some embodiments, a tag 30 may be included. The tag 30 provides the utility of prominently displaying a name of the product, a name of an organization selling the product, directions for use, or any other useful information. The tag 30 may be disposed in between the cover layers 12, 14, proximate the loop 20. Tag 30 may be fixed to the cover layers 12, 14 by the stitching 18 and extends outward from the loofah sponge 10. Without limitation, the tag 30 may be folded such that each of its terminal ends are secured by the stitching 18. There may be some stitching on the tag 30 to help keep it together. Though the figures show that the tag 30 is disposed proximate the loop 20, it is contemplated that the tag 30 may be positioned at any point along the perimeter formed by the layers 12, 14. In other embodiments, multiple tags 30 may be used.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-8, the loofah sponge 10 includes an inner layer 16, which is also made of natural loofah fibers. The inner layer 16 is disposed in the interior space formed by the cover layers 12, 14. In a preferred embodiment, inner layer 16 is oval-shaped, with approximately the same proportions of length to width as the cover layers 12, 14. However, this is not intended to be limiting. The inner layer 16 may be of any suitable shape; it may be leaf-shaped, square, rectangle, circular, polygonal, or amorphous. The inner layer 16 may also be made up of numerous smaller pieces.

The inner layer 16 is smaller in terms of length and width than the cover layers 12, 14. The inner layer 16 is not fixed by the stitching 18. Instead, the inner layer 16 ‘floats’ inside the interior space formed by the cover layers 12, 14. In other words, the inner layer 16 is loose inside the interior space formed by the covers 12, 14.

It has been found, surprisingly, that this configuration of the relatively-smaller inner layer 16 floating inside the space formed by the cover layers 12, 14 provides superior durability. Furthermore, this configuration causes the cover layers 12, 14 to bulge outwards, which provides an ergonomic shape that is easy for the user to grip or hold. Because the inner layer 16 is typically only slightly less wide and slightly less thick than the cover layers 12, 14, the outward force from the inner layer 16 is typically exerted near the perimeter of the cover layers 12, 14, thus providing an ergonomic curved exterior that yields under pressure but tends to restore its original shape once the pressure has been removed.

The length, width, and thickness of the inner layer 16 may be set according to the desired amount of bulge. For example, for a relatively small bulge, the inner layer 16 could be made relatively thin; for a relatively large bulge, the inner layer 16 could be made relatively thick. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the inner layer 16 is dimensioned to be slightly thinner than the cover layers 12, 14 for a medium amount of bulge.

FIGS. 9-16 show an embodiment which is similar to that of FIGS. 1-8. The main difference is that in the embodiment of FIGS. 9-16, the sponge 10 is rectangular. Specifically, the cover layers 12, 14, and the inner layer 16 each have a rectangular cross section.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 9-16, the tag 30 is disposed between the cover layers 12, 14 and is fastened by the stitching 18. Though it is shown in FIG. 10 that the tag 30 is positioned at the lower right corner of the loofah sponge 10, it is contemplated that the tag 30 may be positioned anywhere along the perimeter defined by the cover layers 12, 14. It is further contemplated that multiple tags 30 may be used. Moreover, although FIGS. 9-16 do not show a loop 20, it is within the scope of the invention to have one or more loops 20 disposed in between the cover layers 12, 14 and fastened by the stitching 18. Like the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8, in the embodiment of FIGS. 9-16, the inner layer 16 is smaller than the cover layers 12, 14 and floats inside an interior space formed by the cover layers 12, 14 to provide the same advantages in terms of ergonomics and durability. For brevity, a detailed explanation of the structure of the rectangular loofah sponge 10 of FIGS. 9-16 will be omitted here, but the structure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by referring to FIGS. 9-16 and the above explanation of the structure of the leaf-shaped loofah sponge 10 of FIGS. 1-8, much of which also applies to the rectangular loofah sponge 10 of FIGS. 9-16.

As mentioned above, the inner layer 16 and the cover layers 12, 14 are made of natural loofah fibers. Preferably, the loofah fibers are harvested and processed free of chemicals that can harm them.

After it is manufactured, the loofah sponge 10 is effective at removing dead surface cells of a user's skin while promoting greater hydration and blood flow through the user's body. The loofah sponge 10 may also be helpful for unclogging skin pores. The loofah sponge 10 may be used in the kitchen and the bathroom; it may be used to clean tableware, cookware, countertops, windows, mirrors, and much more.

For personal cleaning applications, the user first soaks the loofah in water until it becomes soft. Next, the user squeezes the loofah gently and applies soap to the loofah sponge 10, the user's body, or both. Next, the user softly exfoliates his or her body using the loofah sponge 10. After use, the loofah sponge 10 may be hung to dry using the loop 20. The loofah 10 is hard when dry, but becomes soft when wet.

Because the loofah sponge 10 is made with all-natural loofah fibers, no terry cloth or artificial sponges are attached to it. Preferably, the loofah sponge 10 is 5.3 inches long, 3.1 inches wide, and 1.2 inches thick. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the loofah sponge 10 is 4-6 inches long, 1-5 inches wide, and 0.5-2 inches thick. It is also contemplated that in other embodiments, the loofah sponge 10 is 2-8 inches long, 0.5-7 inches wide, and 0.1-3 inches thick.

The loofah sponge 10 may be packaged inside a brown paper bag or box, which is eco-friendly. Because of the loofah sponge's 10 superior durability, it is expected to last a long time. However, when the loofah sponge 10 needs to be replaced, it can be degraded or composted without any harm to the environment.

These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention so further described in such appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A loofah sponge, comprising: a first cover layer; a second cover layer secured to the first cover layer by peripheral stitching; and an inner layer loose inside an interior space formed by the first cover layer and the second cover layer.
 2. The loofah sponge of claim 1, wherein the first cover layer and the second cover layer bulge outwards due to the presence of the inner layer.
 3. The loofah sponge of claim 1, wherein the peripheral stitching comprises stitching around a common periphery of the first cover layer and the second cover layer, and wherein the stitching is indented from an edge formed by the first cover layer and the second cover layer.
 4. The loofah sponge of claim 1, wherein a loop is secured in between the first cover layer and the second cover layer by the peripheral stitching.
 5. The loofah sponge of claim 1, wherein a tag is secured in between the first cover layer and the second cover layer by the peripheral stitching.
 6. The loofah sponge of claim 1, wherein the first cover layer and the second cover layer are each leaf-shaped.
 7. The loofah sponge of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is oval-shaped.
 8. The loofah sponge of claim 1, wherein the first cover layer, the second cover layer, and the inner layer are rectangular.
 9. A method of manufacturing a loofah sponge, comprising: providing a first cover layer; placing an inner layer on top of the first cover layer; placing a second cover layer on top of the inner layer; and securing the second cover layer to the first cover layer by peripheral stitching, wherein the inner layer is loose inside an interior space formed by the first cover layer and the second cover layer.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first cover layer and the second cover layer bulge outwards due to the presence of the inner layer.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the peripheral stitching comprises stitching around a common periphery of the first cover layer and the second cover layer, and wherein the stitching is indented from an edge formed by the first cover layer and the second cover layer.
 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising securing a loop in between the first cover layer and the second cover layer by the peripheral stitching.
 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising securing a tag in between the first cover layer and the second cover layer by the peripheral stitching.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the first cover layer and the second cover layer are each leaf-shaped.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the inner layer is oval-shaped.
 16. The method of claim 9, wherein the first cover layer, the second cover layer, and the inner layer are rectangular. 